If you’re a dog lover like me, then you probably know how puzzling if not downright aggravating your dog’s behavior can be sometimes.  You give him a bath so that he will not smell so bad when your in-laws come to visit and you turn your back and he is rolling in something stinky.  You leash him up for a nice walk around the block and he turns into a pulling, cat chasing, peeing on and/or sniffing every blade of grass he sees.  How come he has to act so crazy, when he can be so sweet the rest of the time?

Well the answer is Dog Behavior. 

No matter how much we want to see them as “babies”, they are still dogs.  They have their own language, instincts, meanings and understanding to life. And that is the basis for their dog behavior.

Your dog does very well understanding you.  Most dogs have an understanding of our vocabulary equal to a three year old child.  But hearing is not his dominant sense.  Neither is sight, it is his sense of smell that rules his world.

So imagine this, instead of recognizing Bob by his dark hair and rather large nose, you would know Bob as the guy who smells like cigarettes and “Old Spice”.  Not too farfetched, but still a different way of thinking of things. 

So the next time you question his “dog behavior”, try and see it through his eyes, ahhhh, nose.  And his crazy dog behavior will make a lot more sense.

Dog-Philes is a weekly newsletter that entertains and informs on our favorite subject – Dogs.  We offer training tips, we discuss health related issues and everything else DOG.  So if you are a dog lover like me, and you want quality information on how to have the best life possible for you and your dog, grab your leash and come chew a bone with us for a while.  And if you sign up today you’ll get our Free Report on Why Dogs Bite and How to not be a Victim.

A New Best Friend

If you rescue a dog instead of buying a puppy from a breeder or a pet store, you get a dog from either the SPCA or Humane Society or another Rescue organization.  All the dogs that these places have were unwanted.  Some have been rescued from bad owners or situations, some were sick or injured when they came to the organization.  But the one thing each and every one of these animals need is a loving owner and a home of their own.  Please consider getting your next best friend from a local shelter.

Here are some Rescued Dogs.

Mugsy was rescued from a mall parking lot where he was forced to eat out of a dumpster.

Reese was abandoned as a puppy near a Girl Scout jamboree.

Zero was thrown from a speeding truck in the middle of the night.  His head was swollen and his rear leg dislocated.

Visit a Shelter today, your best friend is waiting.